NAPERVILLE – Carroll is the preseason favorite in the 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s lacrosse race, according to a poll submitted by league head coaches earlier this month.

2025 CCIW Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll

Team (First-place votes)	Points
1. Carroll (5)	25
2. Carthage (1)	20
3. Illinois Wesleyan	17
4. North Central	14
5. Augustana	8
6. Elmhurst	6

The Pioneers received the maximum point total of 25, earning the top position on five ballots. It’s the first time Carroll has been voted the preseason league favorite, topping its previous high mark of third from each of the last three seasons (2022-24). CU has finished third or better in the final league standings in each of four seasons, including runner-up showings in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
 
Carthage picked up the other first-place vote, settling in second slot in the poll with 20 points. The Firebirds tied for second place in the final league standings last season and advanced to the CCIW Tournament final for the second time in the last three years.
 
Illinois Wesleyan – which also shared second place in last season’s final CCIW regular-season race – was picked third on Friday. The Titans earned 17 points from the ballots and will be aiming to extend their streak of eight consecutive CCIW Tournament appearances.
 
The fourth position in Friday's announcement went to North Central. The Cardinals placed fifth last season and are seeking their first CCIW Tournament bid since 2019. Augustana earned eight points to finish fifth in the preseason ranking, followed by Elmhurst (five points).
 
The 2025 season is set to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 12 when Carthage hosts Bethel (Ind.) at 3 p.m. in Kenosha. The league slate kicks off on Wednesday, April 9. The top four teams in the final league standings will qualify for the CCIW Tournament with semifinals on Wednesday, April 30 and the championship game on Saturday, May 3.